Head Coach: Rick Stansbury
2008-09 Record (SEC): 23–13 (9–7)
2008-09 Postseason: NCAA: Lost to Washington 71–58 in the first round
Key Losses: None

2009-10 SEC West Prediction: 1st

As he enters his 12th season as the head coach at Mississippi State, Rick Stansbury possesses arguably the finest collection of talent he’s ever had in Starkville. And with it have come some lofty expectations. With five returning starters, including two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year Jarvis Varnado, and a highly touted signing class, the Bulldogs have been pegged as the overwhelming favorites in the SEC West. There are even whispers around town that this team has what it takes to duplicate the school’s unexpected 1996 Final Four run. The chatter began after MSU won the SEC Tournament title in March, and it grew louder when blue-chip recruits Renardo Sidney and John Riek signed in the spring.

Stansbury, who stays on an even keel (except when he’s stomping his foot on the sidelines), is trying to make sure his team manages the heightened expectations.

“Your players have to understand, because they are more experienced now, that with more expectations comes more accountability,” Stansbury says. “We don’t adjust what we do based on expectations in the program outside the lines.”

Frontcourt

The 6'9" Varnado was a defensive specialist as a sophomore, when he led the nation in blocks (157). Last season, he became more offensive-minded, averaging a team-high 12.9 points per game, five points better than his 2007-08 average. This season, Varnado believes he can improve his production even more. “I’ve been working on my face-up game a lot, trying to use my quickness,” says Varnado.

This doesn’t mean Varnado is abandoning the post. Far from it. Going up against Sidney and Riek over the summer toughened him up. Plus, he’s bulking up. Varnado played at 210 pounds last season, but he was up to 225 over the summer, and he hopes to be at 240 in the fall. He’s eating more and eating better. And the weight isn’t slowing him down.

“He’s probably better right now athletically than he’s ever been,” MSU strength coach Richard Akins says.

While Varnado anchors the frontcourt, he is far from the only option. Junior Kodi Augustus, a 6'8" forward, came on strong late last season, averaging 10.0 points over the Bulldogs’ final seven games.

Sophomore Romero Osby and junior Elgin Bailey, who’s recovering from a dislocated ankle, bring strong rebounding and defense. Freshman Wendell Lewis will also battle for minutes at power forward.

The biggest question for MSU is whether Sidney and Riek will be cleared to play in 2009-10. Over the summer, the NCAA was investigating possible financial improprieties during Sidney’s recruitment to other schools. If eligible, Sidney, a consensus top 20 national recruit, will be make a significant contribution from Day 1. Riek, a native of the Sudan and a one-time Cincinnati signee, has to pay back money he received for attending NBA workouts last year before injuring his knee.

Backcourt

Dee Bost had never played point guard before coming to MSU, but he handled the role with aplomb as a freshman. His production was solid — 10.9 points and 4.3 assists per game — but he shot the ball poorly. He hit 6-of-11 from the field in the SEC opener but shot above 50 percent in a game only once more the rest of the season. Bost’s final shooting numbers were .352 overall and .335 from 3-point range.

Junior Ravern Johnson was the most potent sharpshooter on the team, hitting 39.5 percent from three. Johnson’s issue is ball-handling; he needs to shore that up if he wants to hold onto his starting spot.

Senior Barry Stewart, a steady offensive weapon during his time in Starkville, will provide an emotional edge and leadership. He’ll help bring along highly touted freshman Shaunessy Smith, a shooting guard with good size (6'6").

Then there’s the springy-legged Phil Turner, a 6'3" junior who played the 4 spot last season when the Bulldogs employed their four-guard attack. Turner scored in double figures in nine of the Dogs’ 16 SEC regular-season games.

Final Analysis

Mississippi State has what every coach dreams of — experience, talent, depth, size and shooting. All that Final Four talk? Not so crazy. “I say we’re gonna be in the Final Four,” says Smith.

Stewart’s a little more cautious. “You can say Final Four. Everybody in the country can say that, but only four teams are going to be there. The (key) thing is just working hard, working harder than any team in the nation, so that’s our main goal right now.”